JP2024057364A - Wire harness manufacturing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a wire harness manufacturing device and a wire harness manufacturing method that can reduce the manufacturing cost of wire harnesses. [Solution] A wire harness manufacturing device 1 includes a fixture plate 2 used for wiring electric wires W, a movable body 3 that holds the electric wires W and is movable on the fixture plate 2, and a control unit 4 that controls the movement of the movable body 3 and moves the movable body 3 according to the shape of the wire harness WH to wire the electric wires W, the fixture plate 2 has a magnetic body provided in the movement area of the movable body 3, and the movable body 3 has a magnetic force generating unit 36 that generates a magnetic force that acts as an adhesive force for the fixture plate 2. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a wire harness manufacturing device and a wire harness manufacturing method.

Conventionally, in relation to wire harness manufacturing, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a wire harness manufacturing apparatus and a wire harness manufacturing method are known in which a plurality of assembly jigs are attached to predetermined positions on a wiring path, and a plurality of electric wires are routed according to the wiring path on a wiring table. In this wire harness manufacturing apparatus and wire harness manufacturing method, a part of an assembly jig in the middle of the wiring path is fixed on a detachable plate to form a replacement jig, and this replacement jig is formed so as to be detachable from the wiring table, and this replacement jig can be replaced with another replacement jig, thereby making it possible to change a part of the wiring path.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-96632

However, the wire harness manufacturing apparatus and wire harness manufacturing method described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 have room for improvement in terms of high manufacturing costs. For example, assembly jigs may be required depending on the type of product in which the wire harness is used, which results in significant costs for manufacturing equipment. In addition, manual labor is required to assemble the wire harness, which results in high labor costs. For this reason, there is a strong demand for the development of a manufacturing apparatus and a wire harness manufacturing method that can reduce manufacturing costs in the manufacture of wire harnesses.

The present invention aims to provide a wire harness manufacturing device and a wire harness manufacturing method that can reduce the manufacturing costs of wire harnesses.

In other words, the wire harness manufacturing device according to the present invention includes a jig plate used for wiring the electric wires, a moving body that holds the electric wires and can move on the jig plate, and a control unit that controls the movement of the moving body and moves the moving body according to the shape of the wire harness to wire the electric wires, the jig plate has a magnetic body provided in the wiring area of the electric wires, and the moving body has a magnetic force generating unit that generates a magnetic force that acts as an adhesive force to the jig plate.

The wire harness manufacturing device and wire harness manufacturing method of the present invention can reduce the manufacturing costs of wire harnesses.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a second moving body in the wire harness production apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a second moving body in the wire harness production apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a second moving body in the wire harness production apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a second moving body in the wire harness production apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the wire harness production apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a magnetic force generating unit in the wire harness production apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the wiring control process in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the wiring of electric wires in the wire harness manufacturing method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the attachment of exterior parts and the like using the wire harness production apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the attachment of exterior parts and the like using the wire harness production apparatus according to this embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiment include those that are easily replaceable by a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[Embodiment]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a wire harness production apparatus according to this embodiment, Fig. 2 to Fig. 5 are explanatory diagrams of a second moving body in the wire harness production apparatus according to this embodiment, Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the wire harness production apparatus according to this embodiment, and Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a magnetic force generating unit in the wire harness production apparatus according to this embodiment.

The wire harness manufacturing device 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a device for manufacturing a wire harness WH, and wires or routes the electric wires W according to the shape of the wire harness WH. The wire harness WH according to the present embodiment is, for example, a device in which a plurality of electric wires W used for power supply or signal communication are bundled together to form an assembly part for connection between devices mounted on a vehicle, and the plurality of electric wires W are connected to the devices using a connector or the like. The wire harness WH of this embodiment includes an electric wire W having electrical conductivity, a connector C, and an exterior material T. The electric wire W is, for example, an insulated electric wire in which a core wire formed by bundling a plurality of conductive metal wires is covered with an insulating coating portion. The electric wire W may be a bundle of a plurality of insulated electric wires. The connector C is provided at the end of the electric wire W, and is fitted with a connection partner (typically another connector C) to form an electrical connection part between the connection partner and the connection partner, thereby electrically connecting the electric wire W and the connection partner. The exterior material T is a protective member through which the electric wire W is inserted and routed, and which protects the electric wire W routed inside and regulates the routing path. The exterior material T is, for example, a corrugated tube formed into a cylindrical shape from an insulating resin material, a protector, a metal pipe formed into a cylindrical shape from a conductive metal material, etc. The wire harness WH may further include various other components such as grommets, electrical connection boxes, fixtures, connectors, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wire harness manufacturing device 1 includes a fixture plate 2, a moving body 3, and a control unit 4. The fixture plate 2 is a plate used to manufacture the wire harness WH, and a plate larger than the wire harness WH to be manufactured is used. The fixture plate 2 is installed, for example, vertically or diagonally when manufacturing the wire harness. The fixture plate 2 is used to route the electric wires W of the wire harness WH. In addition to routing the electric wires W, the fixture plate 2 may also be used for attaching the exterior material T and checking the continuity of the wire harness WH.

The fixture plate 2 has a magnetic material provided in the movement area of the moving body 3. The movement area of the moving body 3 is the area on the fixture plate 2 where the moving body 3 moves to route the electric wire W, for example, the wiring area of the electric wire W. The fixture plate 2 is, for example, an iron plate, and the entire fixture plate 2 is made of a magnetic material. The fixture plate 2 may also be made of an object that is a magnetic material other than iron, or may be a laminated plate including a layer of an object that is a magnetic material.

A number of mobile bodies 3 are arranged on the jig plate 2. The mobile bodies 3 are carts that hold electric wires W and are movable over the jig plate 2. The mobile bodies 3 move over the jig plate 2 while holding the electric wires W, thereby routing or wiring the electric wires W according to the shape of the wire harness WH. This allows the wire harness manufacturing device 1 to automatically route the electric wires W using the mobile bodies 3, significantly reducing manual work by workers.

The multiple moving bodies 3 include a first moving body 3A connected to the electric wire W, and a second moving body 3B not connected to the electric wire W. The first moving body 3A and the second moving body 3B are provided with wheels 31 on the left and right sides of the main body 30 to be self-propelled, and have a common basic configuration as moving objects. The first moving body 3A is connected to the electric wire W and holds the electric wire W. For example, the first moving body 3A is connected to the end of the electric wire W via a connector C. Therefore, the first moving body 3A can move the end of the electric wire W by its movement. Note that here, the case where the first moving body 3A is indirectly connected to the electric wire W via the connector C is shown, but the first moving body 3A may be directly connected to the electric wire W. The second moving body 3B is not connected to the electric wire W, and contacts the electric wire W connected to the first moving body 3A during wiring to press and hold the electric wire W. The second moving body 3B operates to create a wiring shape or wiring shape of the electric wire W connected to the first moving body 3A during wiring. In other words, the second moving body 3B is a moving body for forming a branch of the wire harness WH.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second moving body 3B for forming a branch has, for example, a pushing section 301 formed on the upper part of the main body 30. The pushing section 301 is a member for pushing the electric wire W held by the other moving body 3 to form a branch shape. The pushing section 301 has a shape that tapers in the direction of travel, and is composed of, for example, a block member with a pentagonal horizontal cross section.

Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the second moving body 3B for forming the branch may have a structure in which a rod member 302 is erected on the upper part of the main body 30. Even in this case, the second moving body 3B can push the electric wire W held by the other moving body 3 to form a branch shape.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the second moving body 3B for forming a branch may have a structure in which a support 303 is erected on the upper part of the main body 30 and a rod member 304 extending vertically is attached to the front position of the support 303. Even in this case, the second moving body 3B for forming a branch can push the electric wire W held by the other moving body 3 to form a branch shape.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the second moving body 3B for forming a branch may have a structure in which a support 303 is erected on the top of the main body 30, a vertically extending rod member 304 is attached to the front position of the support 303, and horizontal rod members 305, 306 extending forward are provided on the top and bottom of the rod member 304. Even in this case, the second moving body 3B for forming a branch can push in the electric wire W held by the other moving body 3 to form a branch shape. In addition, the second moving body 3B for forming a branch can prevent the pushed-in electric wire W from coming off the rod member 304 by the horizontal rod members 305, 306.

Although FIG. 1 shows a case where five moving bodies 3 are used, three, four, six or more moving bodies 3 may be used. Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a case where one second moving body 3B for forming a branch is used, but two or more second moving bodies 3B for forming a branch may be used. Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a case where a first moving body 3A and a second moving body 3B are used, but instead of the second moving body 3B for forming a branch, a U-shaped or fork-shaped assembly jig may be used, and only the first moving body 3A may be used as the moving body 3. In other words, the assembly jig may be placed at a preset position on the jig plate 2, and the first moving body 3A connected to the electric wire W may be moved to arrange the electric wire W.

In FIG. 1, the moving body 3 (first moving body 3A, second moving body 3B) is self-propelled, has wheels 31, for example, and moves on the jig plate 2 by rotating the wheels 31. In other words, the moving body 3 grounds the wheels 31 on the surface of the jig plate 2 and moves on the jig plate 2 by rotating the wheels 31. A plurality of wheels 31 are provided on the left and right sides of the main body 30 of the moving body 3. For example, the moving body 3 moves forward when the left and right wheels 31 rotate forward, moves backward when the left and right wheels 31 rotate backward, and can turn by rotating the left and right wheels 31 at different rotation speeds. In FIG. 1, the moving body 3 has four wheels 31 on each side, but the moving body 3 may have two, three, or five or more wheels on each side. In FIG. 1, circular wheels 31 are used as the running part of the moving body 3, but an endless track (crawler) in which multiple wheels are surrounded by track shoes may be used.

The first moving body 3A has a holding portion 32 that holds the electric wire W. For example, a connector is used as the holding portion 32. In this case, the holding portion 32 is connected to a connector C that is attached to the end of the electric wire W, and functions as a mating connector. By connecting the holding portion 32 and the connector C, the electric wire W is connected to and held by the first moving body 3A.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile object 3 has a communication unit 35, a magnetic force generating unit 36, a driving unit 37, a recording unit 38, and a battery 39. The communication unit 35, the magnetic force generating unit 36, the driving unit 37, the recording unit 38, and the battery 39 are, for example, built into the main body 30. The communication unit 35 is a transmitting/receiving device for wirelessly communicating with the control unit 4. The mobile object 3 receives a control signal from the control unit 4 through the communication unit 35.

As shown in FIG. 7, the magnetic force generating unit 36 is a part that generates a magnetic force that acts as an adhesive force on the jig plate 2, and is composed of, for example, an electromagnet. The magnetic force generating unit 36 is provided on the main body 30, and is positioned adjacent to the jig plate 2. The magnetic force generating unit 36 is capable of adjusting the strength of the magnetic force it generates, and weakens the magnetic force when the mobile body 3 is moving compared to the magnetic force when the mobile body 3 is stopped. This allows the magnetic force generating unit 36 to strongly fix the mobile body 3 to the jig plate 2 when the mobile body 3 is stopped, and weakens the magnetic force when the mobile body 3 is moving, allowing the mobile body 3 to move smoothly.

In FIG. 6, the drive unit 37 is a part that provides a driving force to the wheels 31, and includes a drive source such as a motor and a drive circuit for driving the drive source. The drive unit 37 operates the wheels 31 by driving in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 4. The recording unit 38 records the movement control data, magnetic force control data, etc. of the mobile body 3. The battery 39 is a power supply source for devices such as the magnetic force generating unit 36 and the drive unit 37 provided on the mobile body 3. For example, a rechargeable secondary battery is used as the battery 39.

The control unit 4 is a control unit that performs overall control of the wire harness manufacturing device 1, and for example, controls the movement of the moving body 3, and moves the moving body 3 according to the shape of the wire harness WH to arrange the electric wires W. The control unit 4 is configured with, for example, a computer having a processor such as a CPU [Central Processing Unit], and memories such as a ROM [Read Only Memory] and a RAM [Random Access Memory].

The control unit 4 includes a movement path setting unit 41, a movement control unit 42, a magnetic force control unit 43, a communication unit 44, and a recording unit 45. The movement path setting unit 41, the movement control unit 42, and the magnetic force control unit 43 are configured, for example, by introducing programs that execute the respective functions into the control unit 4. In addition, the movement path setting unit 41, the movement control unit 42, and the magnetic force control unit 43 may be individually installed in the control unit 4 as control units that execute the respective functions.

The movement path setting unit 41 sets the movement path on the jig plate 2 for each moving body 3. For example, the movement path setting unit 41 sets coordinates corresponding to the surface of the jig plate 2, and sets the coordinate values of the movement start position and movement end position of each moving body 3 according to the shape of the wire harness WH. The coordinate value of the movement start position of the moving body 3 is set to the coordinate value of the start position when the moving body 3 is placed at a predetermined start position. The coordinate value of the movement end position of the moving body 3 is set according to the shape of the wire harness WH. Then, the movement path setting unit 41 generates a path connecting the movement start position and the movement end position of the moving body 3 as the movement path. At this time, it is desirable to set the movement paths of the multiple moving bodies 3 so that they do not intersect, but even if the movement paths intersect, the movement of the moving body 3 can be made smooth by shifting the movement timing. In this case, the movement path may be set taking into account the movement speed of the moving body 3. In other words, the movement path may be set by relating the movement position and the movement speed on the movement path of the moving body 3.

The movement control unit 42 outputs a movement-related control signal to each moving body 3. For example, the movement control signal outputs a control signal to operate the drive unit 37 so as to move the moving body 3 along the movement path. This causes the drive unit 37 to operate and the wheels 31 to rotate, causing the moving body 3 to move along the set movement path.

The magnetic force control unit 43 controls the operation of the magnetic force generating unit 36. For example, the magnetic force control unit 43 outputs a control signal to the magnetic force generating unit 36 to operate the magnetic force generating unit 36, causing the magnetic force generating unit 36 to generate a strong magnetic force when the mobile body 3 is stopped, and to generate a weaker magnetic force when the mobile body 3 is moving than when it is stopped.

The communication unit 44 communicates with the mobile body 3. The communication unit 44 performs wireless communication with the mobile body 3, and transmits and receives signals between the communication unit 35 of the mobile body 3. The recording unit 45 records the moving path data of the mobile body 3, magnetic force control data, etc.

The control unit 4 is connected to an HMI [Human Machine Interface] 5. The HMI 5 is, for example, an operation device for the control unit 4, and functions as an input device and an output device. The HMI 15 corresponds to a switch, an input button, a keyboard, a speaker, a display monitor, etc.

Next, the operation of the wire harness manufacturing device and the wire harness manufacturing method according to this embodiment will be described.

Figure 8 is a flowchart of the wiring control process in the wire harness manufacturing method. Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the wiring of electric wires in the wire harness manufacturing method. Figures 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams of the attachment of exterior parts, etc. in the wire harness manufacturing method.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric wire W is connected and the initial position of the moving body 3 is set. The moving body 3 is placed in an initial position on the jig plate 2. For example, the moving body 3 is placed side by side at the upper position of the jig plate 2. At this time, by setting the initial position of the moving body 3 to the upper position of the jig plate 2, the moving body 3 moves from top to bottom, preventing the moving body 3 from moving upward, and reducing consumption of the battery 39 of the moving body 3.

As the initial positions of the moving bodies 3, for example, the first moving body 3A, the second moving body 3B, the first moving body 3A, the first moving body 3A, and the first moving body 3A are arranged in this order from the left. For example, four electric wires W are connected to the leftmost first moving body 3A. In FIG. 1, one connector C is connected to the leftmost first moving body 3A, but four connectors C may be connected corresponding to the four electric wires W. Two electric wires W of the four electric wires W connected to the leftmost first moving body 3A are connected to the rightmost first moving body 3A (fifth from the left). In addition, one electric wire W of the four electric wires W connected to the leftmost first moving body 3A is connected to the third first moving body 3A from the left. Furthermore, one electric wire W of the four electric wires W connected to the leftmost first moving body 3A is connected to the fourth first moving body 3A from the left. No electric wire W is connected to the second second moving body 3B from the left. The length of the electric wires W connected to the moving body 3 corresponds to the shape of the wire harness WH.

When the moving bodies 3 (first moving body 3A, second moving body 3B) are set in their initial positions, the magnetic force generating unit 36 of the moving bodies 3 is activated, and the moving bodies 3 are attracted to the fixture plate 2 by magnetic force. This allows the moving bodies 3 to maintain their position without slipping off the fixture plate 2, which may be vertical or inclined. The electric wire W is connected by connecting a connector C attached to the end of the electric wire W to the holding unit 32 of the moving bodies 3. This allows the end of the electric wire W to be held by one of the moving bodies 3.

Then, the electric wire W is routed. The electric wire W is routed by the movement of the moving body 3. The routing control process in FIG. 8 is started, for example, by a start operation of the HMI 5, and is executed by the control unit 4. As part of the routing control process, first, as shown in step S10 in FIG. 8 (hereinafter, simply referred to as "S10"; the same applies to subsequent steps S), a first magnetic force adjustment process is performed. The first magnetic force adjustment process is a process of adjusting the strength of the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating unit 36, and in preparation for the movement of the moving body 3, the magnetic force is made weaker than the magnetic force when stopped. That is, a control signal is output from the magnetic force control unit 43 of the control unit 4 to the moving body 3, and the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating unit 36 is weakened. As a result, the moving body 3 is attracted to the jig plate 2, but is easier to move due to the weakened magnetic force.

Then, the process proceeds to S12, where the moving step is performed. The moving step is a step of moving the moving body 3 according to the shape of the wire harness WH. That is, a control signal is output from the moving control unit 42 of the control unit 4 to the moving body 3, and the drive unit 37 is operated. As a result, the wheels 31 of the moving body 3 rotate, and the moving body 3 moves on the jig plate 2. The moving path of the moving body 3 is a path that is set in advance according to the shape of the wire harness WH. The moving bodies 3 may be moved all at once, or may be moved individually in order, or some moving bodies 3 may move ahead as appropriate and some moving bodies 3 may move simultaneously. By this moving step, as shown in FIG. 9, each electric wire W is arranged in a shape according to the wire harness WH. That is, the first moving body 3A moves to the position of the end of the electric wire W in the wire harness WH. The second moving body 3B abuts against the electric wire W connected to the first moving body 3A and pushes the electric wire W and moves. As a result, a branch shape is formed in the multiple electric wires W.

After the movement process of S12 is completed, a second magnetic force adjustment process is performed (S14). The second magnetic force adjustment process is a process for adjusting the strength of the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating unit 36, and the magnetic force is made stronger than the magnetic force when the moving body 3 is moving. That is, a control signal is output from the magnetic force control unit 43 of the control unit 4 to the moving body 3, and the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating unit 36 is made stronger than the magnetic force in the first magnetic force adjustment process. As a result, the moving body 3 is strongly attracted to the jig plate 2, and the moving body 3 is fixed at the stop position. Therefore, in this state, the attachment of the exterior material T and the continuity check can be smoothly performed. After the second magnetic force adjustment process of S14 is completed, the series of wiring control processes in FIG. 8 is terminated.

According to this wiring control process, the electric wires W can be wired by moving the moving body 3 according to the shape of the wire harness WH. Therefore, a jig according to the type of wire harness WH is not required, and capital investment for wire harness manufacturing can be significantly reduced. In addition, it is not necessary to install a jig for each type of wire harness WH, and the manufacturing space can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, since the electric wires W can be wired by moving the moving body 3, manual work by workers can be significantly reduced. In this way, the manufacturing cost of the wire harness WH can be reduced. Furthermore, since the moving body 3 can be attracted to the jig plate 2 by magnetic force, the moving body 3 can be moved and the wire harness WH can be manufactured even if the jig plate 2 is inclined or vertical.

9, the electric wire W is wired, and then the outer casing T is attached to the electric wire W. For example, the electric wire W is bundled and a corrugated tube, tape, or the like is attached as the outer casing T. At this time, the moving body 3 is firmly held by the jig plate 2, so that the outer casing T can be attached smoothly. In addition, the moving body 3 may be made to carry the outer casing T. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the moving body 3 may be equipped with an attachment part 310 and moved to a working position. Examples of the attachment part 310 include clamps, protectors, and covers. This allows the attachment of the attachment part 310 to be performed efficiently using the wire harness manufacturing device 1. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the moving body 3 may be equipped with a protective part 311 and moved to a working position. Examples of the protective part 311 include a corrugated tube, tape, or the like. This allows the attachment of the protective part 311 to be performed efficiently using the wire harness manufacturing device 1.

Then, an exterior material T or the like is attached to the electric wires W to manufacture the wire harness WH. Thereafter, a continuity check may be performed on the wire harness WH using a jig plate 2. Note that the continuity check may be performed using a jig dedicated to continuity checks, but since the electric wires W are electrically connected to the moving body 3 via the connector C, it is possible to perform the continuity check using the wire harness manufacturing device 1. For example, a check signal is output from the control unit 4 to the moving body 3, and the continuity check of the wire harness WH can be performed based on whether or not this check signal is received through the other moving body 3 connected by the electric wires W. Once this continuity check is completed, the manufacture of the wire harness WH is completed.

As described above, according to the wire harness manufacturing device 1 of this embodiment, the moving body 3 is moved according to the shape of the wire harness WH to arrange the electric wires W, and the wire harness WH can be manufactured. Therefore, a jig according to the type of wire harness WH is not required, and the capital investment for wire harness manufacturing can be significantly reduced. In addition, it is not necessary to install a jig for each type of wire harness WH, and the manufacturing space can be significantly reduced. In addition, since the electric wires W can be arranged by moving the moving body 3, manual work by workers can be significantly reduced. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the wire harness WH can be reduced. In addition, since the moving body 3 can be attracted to the jig plate 2 by magnetic force, the moving body 3 can be moved even if the jig plate 2 is inclined or vertical, and the wire harness WH can be manufactured smoothly.

In addition, the wire harness manufacturing device 1 according to this embodiment weakens the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating unit 36 of the moving body 3 when the moving body 3 is moving compared to the magnetic force generated when the moving body 3 is stopped. Therefore, the wire harness manufacturing device 1 according to this embodiment can smoothly move the moving body 3 on the jig plate 2, and can efficiently manufacture the wire harness WH.

The wire harness manufacturing device 1 according to this embodiment also includes, as the moving body 3, a first moving body 3A connected to the electric wire W and a second moving body 3B not connected to the electric wire W. By using the second moving body 3B not connected to the electric wire W, the wire harness WH can be formed by branching the multiple electric wires W. Therefore, the wire harness manufacturing device 1 according to this embodiment can efficiently manufacture the wire harness WH.

According to the wire harness manufacturing method of this embodiment, the moving body 3 is attracted to the jig plate 2 by magnetic force, so the moving body 3 can maintain its position without slipping off the vertical or inclined jig plate 2, and can move to the desired position. The moving body 3 moves according to the shape of the wire harness WH, so the electric wires W can be arranged and the wire harness WH can be manufactured. Therefore, a jig according to the type of wire harness WH is not required, and the capital investment for wire harness manufacturing can be significantly reduced. In addition, it is not necessary to install a jig for each type of wire harness WH, and the manufacturing space can be significantly reduced. In addition, since the electric wires W can be arranged by moving the moving body 3, manual work by workers can be significantly reduced. For these reasons, the wire harness manufacturing method of this embodiment can reduce the manufacturing cost of the wire harness WH.

In addition, in the wire harness manufacturing method according to this embodiment, after the wiring of the electric wires W in the moving process is completed, the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating unit 36 is strengthened, so that the stopped moving body 3 can be fixed on the jig plate 2. Therefore, the wire harness manufacturing method according to this embodiment can smoothly attach the exterior material T to the wired electric wires W or perform a continuity check.

The wire harness manufacturing apparatus and wire harness manufacturing method according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, a manufacturing device and a manufacturing method for a wire harness WH to be used in a vehicle are described, but the manufacturing device and the manufacturing method may also be applied to a wire harness WH to be used in equipment other than a vehicle.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile object 3 and the control unit 4 communicate wirelessly, but the mobile object 3 and the control unit 4 may also communicate wiredly. For example, each mobile object 3 and the control unit 4 may be electrically connected by a cable or the like to transmit and receive signals. Even in this case, as in the above-described embodiment, the manufacturing cost of the wire harness WH can be reduced. Also, in this case, it is possible to omit the installation of the battery 39 in the mobile object 3.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Wire harness manufacturing device 2 Fixture plate 3 Moving body 3A First moving body 3B Second moving body 4 Control unit 36 Magnetic force generating unit C Connector W Electric wire WH Wire harness

Claims (5)

A jig plate used for wiring electric wires;
a movable body that holds the electric wire and is movable on the jig plate;
a control unit that controls the movement of the moving body and moves the moving body in accordance with a shape of the wire harness to arrange the electric wires,
the fixture plate has a magnetic body provided in a movement area of the movable body,
The movable body has a magnetic force generating unit that generates a magnetic force that serves as an attractive force to the jig plate.
Wire harness manufacturing equipment. The magnetic force generating unit is capable of adjusting the strength of the magnetic force, and the magnetic force when the moving body is moving is weaker than the magnetic force when the moving body is stopped.
The wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 . The moving body includes a first moving body connected to the electric line and a second moving body not connected to the electric line,
the first moving body is connected to the electric wire and holds the electric wire;
The second movable body contacts the electric wire connected to the first movable body during wiring to hold the electric wire connected to the first movable body.
3. The wire harness manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. a first magnetic force adjustment step in which a movable body holding an electric wire to be routed and having a magnetic force generating unit is placed on a fixture plate having a magnetic body, and the movable body is attracted to the fixture plate by the magnetic force of the magnetic force generating unit;
a moving step in which the moving body moves in accordance with a shape of the wire harness, and the electric wire is arranged.
A method for manufacturing a wire harness. Further, after the wiring of the electric wires by the moving step is completed, a second magnetic force adjustment step is performed in which the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating unit is strengthened compared to the magnetic force in the first magnetic force adjustment step, and the stopped moving body is fixed on the jig plate.
The method for producing a wire harness according to claim 4.

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